Sydney train stations 'refreshed' with $33m

By
Bianca Perez

FAIRFIELD, Cabramatta and Liverpool train stations will get upgrades with a $33 million expansion of the government's station "refresh" program.

Upgrades at Fairfield Station. Picture: Simon Bennett

First day if the Opal travel card on the Neutral Bay ferry run.photo: Peter Rae Friday 7 December 2012C35F9629.JPG

FAIRFIELD, Cabramatta and Liverpool train stations will get upgrades with a $33 million expansion of the government's station "refresh" program.

Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian last week said 28 stations including Fairfield, Cabramatta and Liverpool would benefit.

She said each station's facilities would get upgraded toilets, furniture, energy-efficient lighting, repainting and landscaping.

"Our customers want safe, reliable, clean, air-conditioned trains, and modern stations which are easily accessible, and we are delivering." Ms Berejiklian said the upgrade of the 28 stations would be completed by the end of this year.

The minister also announced earlier this year that electronic ticketing would be in place at all stations to "put an end to Sydney's Monday morning ticket queues".

Passengers can now travel using an Opal card rather than tickets.

Last Wednesday, Ms Berejiklian said 300 buses in south-west Sydney will go live with Opal by the middle of this month. On July 14, the Opal card will be switched on for people using Transit Systems buses across 80 suburbs including Liverpool, Bonnyrigg, Fairfield and Wetherill Park.

"More than 360,000 Opal cards have now been issued and customers have taken 21 million journeys and more than 4.5 million free trips across trains, ferries and buses," Ms Berejiklian said.

"Opal is putting an end to fumbling for coins, queuing for tickets, and the frustration of turning up to the bus stop and realising your TravelTen has just run out."